6 ATS Hacks To Power Your Resume Past Applicant Tracking Systems

Are Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) commonly used by employers?

Yes, indeed! Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) have become ubiquitous in the modern hiring landscape. According to a 2023 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), a staggering 90% of Fortune 500 companies and 75% of all businesses utilize ATS to manage their hiring process. This widespread adoption underscores the importance of tailoring your resume to be ATS-friendly if you want to stand out in today’s competitive job market.

How do I determine if a company is using an applicant tracking system?

There are several ways to determine if a company is using an ATS:

• Check the company’s career page: Many companies that use ATS display this information prominently on their career pages. Look for phrases like “Please submit your resume in a text-only format” or “Your resume will be screened by an ATS.”
• Examine the job posting: The job posting may also provide clues. If it mentions keywords like “ATS-friendly,” “scannable,” or “optimized for parsing,” it’s likely that the company uses an ATS.
• Test it out: You can also try submitting a resume with special characters or formatting to see if it gets rejected. If it does, it’s a good indication that the company is using an ATS.

What are the key differences between ATS-friendly and traditional resumes?

ATS-friendly resumes are designed to be easily parsed and understood by applicant tracking systems. They typically follow specific formatting guidelines and avoid using elements that can confuse or hinder the ATS’s ability to extract information. Traditional resumes, on the other hand, may be more visually appealing and tailored to human readers, but they may not be as effective when it comes to passing through ATS filters.
Here’s a table summarizing the key differences between ATS-friendly and traditional resumes:

Feature	ATS-Friendly Resume	Traditional Resume
Formatting	Clean, consistent formatting, no graphics or images	May use bolding, italics, underlining, and different fonts
File Format	PDF or text	PDF, Word, or other formats
Keywords	Includes relevant keywords from the job description	May not include specific keywords
Length	Typically 1-2 pages	Can be longer, depending on experience
Headings	Clear, concise headings (e.g., Education, Experience)	May use more creative or descriptive headings
Font	Standard font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)	Can use a variety of fonts

How can I analyze my resume’s compatibility with ATS?

There are a few ways to analyze your resume’s compatibility with ATS:

• Use an online ATS compatibility checker: There are several free and paid online tools that can scan your resume and provide feedback on its ATS-friendliness.
• Review your resume for common ATS red flags: Avoid using graphics, images, tables, or other formatting elements that can confuse ATS. Also, make sure your resume is in a text-only format (e.g., PDF or txt).
• Test your resume on an actual ATS: If you have access to an applicant tracking system, try submitting your resume to see how it performs. This can give you valuable insights into how well your resume is being parsed and ranked by the ATS.

Which sections of my resume should I optimize for ATS?

The most important sections of your resume to optimize for ATS are:

• Contact Information: Make sure your name, email address, and phone number are clearly visible and easy to find.
• Summary or Objective: This section should be tailored to the specific job you’re applying for and should include relevant keywords.
• Experience: List your relevant work experience in reverse chronological order, and be sure to include quantifiable results whenever possible.
• Education: List your educational background, including the name of your degree, the school you attended, and the dates of attendance.
• Skills: List your hard and soft skills, and be sure to include any relevant certifications or licenses.

Additionally, you may want to include sections for Awards/Honors, Projects, and Publications, depending on the relevance to the job you’re applying for.

How do I write a headline statement that is both ATS-compliant and compelling?

Your headline statement is one of the most important elements of your resume, as it’s often the first thing that recruiters and hiring managers will see. To write a headline statement that is both ATS-compliant and compelling, follow these tips:

• Keep it concise: Your headline statement should be no more than 10-15 words.
• Use keywords: Include relevant keywords from the job description in your headline statement.
• Highlight your value proposition: What makes you a unique and valuable candidate for the job? Articulate this in your headline statement.
• Avoid using personal pronouns: Instead of saying “I am a highly skilled software engineer,” say “Highly skilled software engineer with 5+ years of experience.”

What formatting and structural elements are ATS-friendly?

When formatting your resume for ATS, it’s important to use clear and consistent formatting and structural elements. Here are some tips:

• Use a standard font: Choose a standard font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
• Use a consistent font size: Use a consistent font size throughout your resume, typically between 10-12 points.
• Use clear headings: Use clear and concise headings to organize your resume into sections.
• Use white space: Use white space to make your resume easy to read and skim.

Are there any special characters or symbols I should avoid using in my resume for ATS compatibility?

Yes, there are a few special characters and symbols that you should avoid using in your resume for ATS compatibility. These include:

• Symbols: Avoid using symbols like $, %, &, and * in your resume.
• Special characters: Avoid using special characters like <, >, and | in your resume.
• Non-standard characters: Avoid using non-standard characters like emojis, emoticons, and foreign language characters in your resume.